SSEN Transmission has today published its final Report on Consultation for a proposed new 400kV overhead line running from Kintore, in Aberdeenshire, to Tealing in Angus.
The Report confirms the final overhead line alignment being taken forward to Section 37 Consent submission, detailing the changes made to the project in response to community and stakeholder feedback that has previously been received, and is set out below.
The proposed new overhead electricity transmission line – the need for which has been independently assessed and approved by the National Energy System Operator (NESO) and energy regulator, Ofgem – forms a key part of the Perth-headquartered company’s plans to upgrade the transmission network across the north of Scotland – a £20billion ‘Pathway to 2030’ investment programme that will deliver high voltage, clean renewable power for connection to homes and businesses across the UK, supporting Scotland and the UK’s energy security and clean power ambitions.
The Report on Consultation, which is available to view here, provides a summary of the feedback received in response to proposals for the overhead line, how this has been considered, and confirmation of final overhead line alignment being taken forward.
To date, SSEN Transmission has held three rounds of public consultation events in relation to the proposed overhead line since May 2023, with a total of 29 in-person events providing an opportunity for the public to provide feedback and comment on the proposals.
Throughout the consultation process, key sections of the overhead line alignment have been reviewed, SSEN Transmission has completed further surveys and continued to develop the proposals delivering changes that reflect community and stakeholder feedback, helping to minimise local impacts.
The Report on Consultation outlines the latest changes made to minimise impact in response to community and stakeholder feedback, which will be presented by the project team at public engagement events taking place in February and March 2025.
Building on previous community and stakeholder-led changes
In December 2023, following community and other stakeholder feedback, SSEN Transmission confirmed it was no longer progressing plans to develop a new substation at Fiddes in the Mearns, relocating this substation to a new site, Hurlie, in Fetteresso Forest, in close proximity to SSEN Transmission’s existing Fetteresso substation.
At the same time, the preferred route in two sections of the line, between Forfar and Brechin; and between the River Dee and Kintore, were changed in direct response to feedback received from the first consultation round.
Since then, further rounds of consultation have led to more changes being made to the overhead line alignments, including:
- New alignments developed around Drumoak and Echt, in Aberdeenshire;
- The progression of an alternative alignment around Schoolhill in Aberdeenshire; and
- New alignments developed around Careston, in Angus.
All project changes have been made to reduce impacts to local communities and the environment, and come as a direct result of constructive engagement with local communities, landowners and wider stakeholders, following on from one of the biggest public consultations that the north of Scotland has ever seen.
In addition to in-person engagement events, on Tuesday, February 4, SSEN Transmission will host a webinar providing an overview of the publication of Reports on Consultations for all three of the proposed 400kV overhead line projects being delivered as part of the Pathway to 2030 programme, including Kintore to Tealing.
Commenting on the publication of the final Report on Consultation, Calum Grant, senior development project manager, said: “We have carried out what we believe to be one of the biggest public consultation exercises with local communities and other stakeholders, throughout the development of this project, that this area has ever seen.
"We would like to thank all those who have taken the time to provide the constructive feedback that has helped to shape our proposals.
“Our final Report on Consultation shows the important role that engagement has played in impacting our decision-making, resulting in the relocation of our proposed new substation from Fiddes in the Mearns to Hurlie in Fetteresso Forest, and changes to sections of the overhead line alignment.
“Upgrading the electricity transmission network in the north of Scotland is critical if we are to deliver the country’s energy security and clean power goals, and the work to do that presents a major boost for jobs and economic growth locally and across the north of Scotland.
“In February and March, we'll be hosting another series of public engagement events where we will present our final alignment plans for the development of this critical national infrastructure.”
The proposed Kintore to Tealing 400kV project is one of a series of major onshore and offshore projects that SSEN Transmission is taking forward through a £20bn investment to upgrade the transmission network across the north of Scotland.
Known as the Pathway to 2030 programme, it will create and support thousands of jobs in the region, both at SSEN Transmission and through the wider supply chain, while delivering an anticipated £100million+ in community benefit funding for communities located close to new transmission infrastructure.
The business has also pledged to support the delivery of more than 1,000 new homes across the region, as a legacy of its workforce accommodation requirements to construct the projects, and to help tackle the housing needs of the north of Scotland.